WITHOUT LIMITS

On the path toward becoming a leader, it is imperative to build, maintain, and grow relationships.

Asia Riley aspired to lead and be led by those who have traveled the path she wished to pursue. Asia, a graduate of Cristo Rey Columbus High School’s inaugural class of 2017, understood the value of quality education and being a voice for others, all of which are essential in building a foundation for her pathway to leadership.

Even before Asia stepped foot on Cristo Rey’s campus, she knew she was destined for college. With her family’s influence and support from her school leaders, she set her sights on Spelman College, a historically black liberal arts college for women located in Atlanta.

With a plan to excel in academics and extracurriculars, little did she know how her efforts and the connections she would create within those engagements would cultivate endless opportunities for growth in her future. Asia’s leadership skills developed rapidly as Student Council President and the Captain of the girls’ varsity basketball team.

Her identity was blossoming into a newfound leader, one her fellow student body relied on and trusted to lead the way toward impactful change. As an indication of that respect, Asia was given the opportunity to speak on behalf of her class at two of Cristo Rey Columbus’ most attended events.

During Cristo Rey Columbus’ Annual Garden Party, one attendee was so moved by her story that they offered to pay for her room and board upon her college acceptance. At that moment, Asia realized the power of connections and the influence they may have on her life.

Upon graduation from high school, Asia never lost sight of her ambitious goal of attending Spelman College. In the spring of 2017, she was on her way to earning a Bachelor of Arts in English.

“I was an independent student, so it was 100% on me to find scholarships. And by the grace of God, my senior year, I worked diligently to accumulate enough scholarship, so that I didn't have to work my entire senior year.”

To no surprise, Asia continued to refine her leadership skills with her extensive involvement in the English Honor Society, Executive Leadership Council, and Pre-alumnae Council at Spelman. In a flash, she was once again walking across the stage and embarking on her next chapter as a Spelman College alumna, yet never forgetting her roots and her passion for creating personal connections.

As an Atlanta resident, she took it upon herself to engage with a fellow Cristo Rey school leader, Camille Naughton, the President at Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School, to further her relationships towards a life fulfilled in leadership.

“In an effort to meet Cristo Rey alumni living in Atlanta, I had the good fortune of meeting Asia Riley. She accepted my invitation to visit the school. I was extremely impressed with her composure and maturity. She has been integral in getting that effort off the ground, and in addition, has been an active mentor for one of our students. Asia encompasses all that we want every Cristo Rey alum to be, and it has been a joy to get to know her,” said Naughton.

This newfound connection brought a piece of her history back into her present. She credits Cristo Rey Columbus for planting the seeds of confidence within her and introducing her to a life-long community of supporters.

Thus far, Asia has garnered invaluable relationships, one of which led her to Deloitte. Asia now works in the Peachtree Towers, home to Deloitte’s Atlanta office. Her time with Deloitte began within the Training Enabling Areas Campus Hires (TEACH) program. This three-year program allows recent college graduates to experience working with a variety of teams across Government and Public Services Operations to determine where their passions lie within the workplace. In her first rotation, she learned how to properly handle contracts and business acumen to build a strong skill set for whichever path she chose.

Her exposure to the human relations department sparked her inner curiosity and allowed her passion for personal connections to flourish. She had found her fit within talent acquisition.

As the first Cristo Rey Columbus High School graduate to join Deloitte’s team, she has paved the trail for future Cristo Rey alumni to pursue their passions at Deloitte. Her goals for college persistence and building lifelong connections within her community have led her to where she is today - a trusted leader to many. She is encouraging the next generation of trailblazers and, just as she set forth to do, is being led by those who have traveled the path she continues to pursue.